Breslin emphasizes African-American support

Three days before voters go to the polls in his Democratic primary against Albany County Legislature Chairman Shawn Morse, Sen. Neil Breslin rallied with African-American supporters on the steps of the State Capitol.

“Involvement in each and every community on an equal basis is critically important,” said Breslin, a Delmar resident, noting his pro-bono legal work before he was elected to the Senate. “I can’t forget my origins and beliefs…the origins are grounded in our cities.”

He stood with Albany County Legislator Lucille McKnight, Albany Common Councilwoman Barbara Smith, Marcus Pryor and the Rev. David Traynham, pastor of the New Horizons Christian Church.

Both Morse and Breslin are white, but African-American voters are a key constituency in the newly reconfigured 44th Senate District, which includes Bethlehem, Albany, Colonie, Rensselaer, Menands, Cohoes, Watervliet, Green Island and most of Troy.

Morse held a similar rally with African-American supporters last month. Interestingly, both Morse and Breslin touted the Rev. Dr. Edward B. Smart, pastor of the Israel AME Church, as a validator. But Smart attended neither man’s press conference — he was in Alabama for Morse’s event on Aug. 9, and apparently had some sort of scheduling conflict today.

Who does he support? Unclear.

“A campaign supporter spoke with Reverend Smart who said he would attend the event. Clearly there was a miscommunication, and we will reach out to Rev. Smart to determine what happened,” said Breslin Campaign Manager Dan Hornick. “Despite Rev. Smart’s absence, it was clear from the support that leaders in the African American community stand with Sen. Breslin as he continues to bring his message of fair, progressive and responsible government to the State Capitol.”

But Morse’s spokesman Dan Morris sent along the below letter, which is signed by Smart.

I called Smart to try and figure this out. “He’s not taking any phone calls regarding that right now,” said the woman who answered the phone.

I agree with the statements about little being done for black in return for their vote, and I also agree about the state of the Urban community, but I know for a fact that it will be democrats that resolve those issues as opposed to republicans who will totally neglect them. after all in the 3 terms of republican rule on Albanys capitol hill, while the suburbs grew and profitted, the cities only got worse!

I do enjoy watching the bickering over which of the two major parties are to blame for the plight of urban minorities and the working class.

Both parties are to blame! They are both capitalist and represent the interests of the corporate power structure, not the working class that capitalism exploits.

But we haven’t got a powerful enough socialist party to fix things up in this country, or in this race, so the best policy is to vote for somebody new. Especially if the incumbent has been in office for more than a decade.

Why does anyone respond to the FORMER hopefully not PRESENT mayor candidate, you are giving creditabilty to someone who obviously doesnt deserve, Morse was not going to do much/anything for the black community, look at the line of African American political figures from those neighborhoods who stood by him, this is the time when the people of Urban communities should take a look at the representation they have, If those individuals are going to stand by these individuals they should be looked at first…you can complain about the senatorial race but what about the local elections and the people that are in office at this time, until you correct your home you cant correct anything else.. When are changes going to be made, vote for the right candidates and not the names you know, there are concerned individuals who work hard for the community but since they are not liked by many or have past history which we all do, they are not elected, its not the person its the concern they have for your community….WAKE UP 2nd, 3rd (mainly the 3rd) 4th, 5th (definetly the 5th) wards and check the representation you have and correct it…..